Coeliac Cyclist

torturedsoul

Hi everyone,

I was diagnosed as a coeliac two weeks ago. I have gone on a gluten free diet and feel much better, although my bloating is still an issue. My doctor asked me also to stay off all types of sugar for 6 weeks.

My question is, and I hope someone can help me, does anybody on here have any good gluten free diets for athletes. Im a cyclist and cycle about 4/5 times a weeks covering approx 300 K a week. I used to eat pasta and high Carb foods like that for energy but now that is not a possibility.

Also the fact I am off sugar means I need to locate a good energy/electrolyte sugar free drink. I have been on the cycling forum already and I have not gotten information specific and helpful enough. (although they all are great and very helpful, but this topic might be more suited for here).

I am looking for any sportspeople who are gluten-free and may have some helpful energy drink advice that are sugar free!

I went out yesterday and I am totally wrecked this morning which is strange for me and I think it is definitely something to do with the lack of nutrition due to the change in my diet.

Thanks for ye're time

All the best
(very) Tortured

Red Cortina

Why did your doctor want you to go off sugar for 6 weeks? Did he specify that you were not to consume glucose/fructose etc but that starchy carbs were ok? As far as I know starch converts to glucose once digested...

GF sources of starchy carbs would include the likes of potatoes (white and sweet), carrots, parsnips, rice, tapioca, buckwheat etc but I can't see you eating those while on a bike.

Dixie Chick

Maybe the doc thinks there may be candida causing the gut to bloat as well and advised off the pure sugar.

torturedsoul

Not too sure why I have to stay off the sugar. Was a little blown away by the whole thing as I wasn't expecting to be coeliac. I hope candida isn't a possible result but sure we'll see what the doc says in 6 weeks.

Cheers for the replies, my search for a sugar free energy drink continues:)

Red Cortina

torturedsoul wrote: »

Cheers for the replies, my search for a sugar free energy drink continues:)

For the majority of the time you get energy from the carbohydrate and fat in your diet. So it sounds to me like looking for a sugar free energy drink is a complete contradiction!

torturedsoul

Sugar give you a quick energy boost. Especially on the bike. The drinks are mainly for hydration and sugar isn't the most important ingredient of an energy drink but is found in most of them.

Just curious to see if there are any other cyclists/athletes on this forum that are also coeliac who may have some more extensive experience. I am only newly diagnosed and getting used to all the changes.

EileenG

I'm not coeliac, but I am a cyclist, and I eat low carb, so no pasta or bread or sugar for me.

Honestly, read up some of the threads on low carb, and base your diet on that. You may find it takes a bit longer to get warmed up without carbs, but once you are going, you'll be able to keep going. It's not carbs that give you energy, it's calories, and you can get those from other foods besides pasta and sugary drinks.

torturedsoul

Great stuff Eileen, thanks a mill.

As a matter of interest, what kind of drink do you bring with you on the bike?

EileenG

Lots of water.

I did read that swishing a sugary drink around your mouth and spitting it out seems to produce the same energy boost as actually swallowing it.

poconnor16

Just off the top of my head - would coconut water be an option? I know it has sugar, but its natural sugar. And I hear it is great for re-hydration - I plan on bringing it on a long run to try it out.

OP, I'm lactose intolerant and I choose to steer clear of gluten products also. I do find it hard and it takes a lot of planning. With regard to my energy levels, I'm about to test this out by training for a half marathon. I think it can be done without starchy carbs (I'll let you know). My carb sources are veggies galore, fruit and a little rice, sweet potato or oats here and there or as training increases. Beans are my secret weapon.

It's my first half marathon so I am nervous about trying it this way...here's hoping.

torturedsoul

I heard somewhere before about the coconut milk too. I will look into it and get back to you. Cheers Paul.

Was in the city today and you can get electrolyte energy tablets that are sugar free. They are called NUUN. Also apparently the ZERO tablets are also.

Also here is a link to gluten free energy bars. But, you have to make them yourself
http://www.mademan.com/mm/how-make-homemade-energy-bars-cycling.html

g0g

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but if the OP is still active I'd be interested to hear how you (or anyone else) coping with being a coeliac cyclist. I was diagnosed earlier in year and interested to hear what anyone else does for food. On my own shorter/medium cycles it's grand I just have energy drink and maybe stick a banana or biscuits in my pocket. But for longer events I'm guessing there won't be many options other than whatever fruit is put out at the stops?

siblers

Althought not Coeliac, I'm avoiding Gluten. I recently did the Ring Of Kerry cycle (180km). Hollands and Barretts have gluten and dairy free energy http://www.hollandandbarrett.ie/pages/product_detail.asp?pid=4848&prodid=5807&cid=325 I took 3 of them with me they worked a treat, I also had lucozade sport to keep me hydrated as well as some bananas and I got around with no problem at all.